A Space Traveler's Guide to the Solar System

An eye-opening and provocative tour of our solar system, from one of Britain’s celebrated astronomists.

Have you ever dreamed of being an astronaut, traveling through the universe on your very own space mission? What would it be like to tour the solar system, visiting the sun and the planets, taking in everything from moons to asteroid belts along the way? What would you see, and how would you feel? What would you eat? How would you navigate and produce fuel? How would you survive?

On this epic voyage of discovery, astronomer Mark Thompson takes you on that journey. From how to prepare for take-off and the experience of leaving Earth’s atmosphere, to the reality of living in the confines of a spaceship and the strange sensation of weightlessness, this is an adventure like no other.

Suit up, strap in, and enjoy the ride!

As a presenter on BBC Stargazing Live, Mark Thompson has helped inspire 4 million viewers to get out and enjoy the night sky. A specialist presenter on ITV's This Morning and Radio Five Live, Mark has also been a key contributor to the BBC's The Sky at Night. His articles can regularly be found in Astronomy Now and Discovery News. His research interests have chiefly centered on deep space, the study of stars exploding at the end of their lives, and distant galaxies believed to host supermassive black holes. Mark's enthusiastic outreach work has led him to serving on the Council of the Royal Astronomical Society. Find him on Twitter @PeoplesAstro!

Endorsements & Reviews

“Thompson steers readers on a heavenly course.”
New York Times Book Review

“Thompson employs current science, along with today’s rapidly expanding knowledge of our solar system, to enable us to visit places no one has gone before. It’s a very worthwhile journey through our colorful and quirky solar system. And Thompson is a thorough and reliable guide, whose deep knowledge makes you confident in the accuracy of his descriptions. Brilliantly leads readers into space. It’s an astronomical travelogue that blasts us out of our little world, and shows us how, in a few decades, we could be cruising our solar system.”
Christian Science Monitor

“The popular host of the BBC's award-winning Stargazing Live takes readers on an imaginary journey throughout our solar system. Thompson is a knowledgeable and capable guide.”
Kirkus Reviews

“This excellent title should find a large readership among laypeople interested in astronomy and planetary science.”
Library Journal (starred review)

“An eye-opening tour of the planets in the solar system and beyond. Written to be accessible to readers of all backgrounds, touches upon the history of astronomical discoveries about the solar system as well as what a hypothetical space traveler might expect to see and encounter. The ultimate 'must-read' for armchair travelers, highly recommended for both personal and public library collections!”
Midwest Book Review

“Reads like a Lonely Planet guide to the solar system—light-hearted, yet rooted in scientific observations. Thompson’s writing is deeply charming and sometimes so matter-of-fact it’s hilarious. Though certainly written for a general audience, Thompson carefully bases the currently impossible journey on cutting-edge research.”
Chemistry World